Bolshunov takes World Cup finals in Falun

(Falun, Sweden) The 2017-18 FIS Cross-Country World Cup season officially came to a close today with the completion of the men's 15 km pursuit event in free technique.  Just one day after his first ever World Cup victory Russia's Alexander Bolshunov won his first 3-day mini tour.  He completed the three days of competition in a total of 1:13:40.3.  Good enough for a 47.1 second margin of victory over Canada's Alex Harvey.  Despite starting with bib 18 today in the pursuit charged up through the field into the leading group to claim second place while recording the fastest time of the day.  In third place was Switzerland's Dario Cologna which clinched the overall distance World Cup title for him.  It's a record 4th distance title for the Swiss skier.  He previously shared the record with Norway's Martin Johnsrud Sundby who was 4th place today and end up second in the overall distance standings.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway at the age of 21 became the youngest ever winner of the men's overall classification.  His overall crystal globe adds to his already impressive collection of two sprint overall globes.  3-time over all globe winners Cologna and Sundby ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively in this years standings.

ATHLETE QUOTES

Alexander Bolshunov (RUS)
After trying all season for a win and getting it yesterday I had a lot of confidence today and I felt strong. It's great to win like this at the end of the season. It leaves me with positive feelings heading into the training season.

Alex Harvey (CAN)
I like these end of season tours. On the podium now two seasons in a row at World Cup finals. They are hard though and I am tired. It took some effort to get up to the leaders but I still felt strong and knew I needed to go for it coming into the final kilometer.

Dario Cologna (SUI)
I am satisfied with the podium. I had a very good end of the season. It is great to win the distance globe. Everything went perfect for me.

Johannes Hoeslfot Klaebo (NOR)
It was a hard race today. Bolshunov was skiing fast from the start. I saw the opportunity to secure the Overall World Cup title. Last couple of days were tough but it cool to be standing here with the globe. It is always fun to compete in Falun. The crowd was amazing.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MEN 15 km F pursuit

1. BOLSHUNOV Alexander 1996 RUS 1:13:40.3
2. HARVEY Alex 1988 CAN +47.1
3. COLOGNA Dario 1986 SUI +47.5
4. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud 1984 NOR +48.7
5. VYLEGZHANIN Maxim 1982 RUS +50.3

Complete RESULTS

OVERALL WORLD CUP STANDINGS

1. KLAEBO Johannes Hoesflot NOR 1409 pts
2. COLOGNA Dario SUI 1290
3. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud NOR 1261

Complete

WORLD CUP DISTANCE STANDINGS

1. COLOGNA Dario SUI 698 pts
2. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud NOR 657
3. HOLUND Hans Christer NOR 599

Complete

FASTEST OF THE DAY

1. HARVEY Alex 1988 CAN 34:34.3
2. HOLUND Hans Christer 1989 NOR +1.0
3. VYLEGZHANIN Maxim 1982 RUS +6.7

Complete

WORLD CUP U23 STANDINGS

1. KLAEBO Johannes Hoesflot NOR 1409 pts
2. BOLSHUNOV Alexander RUS 1152
3. CHERVOTKIN Alexey RUS 569

Complete